2. Contents
TABLE OF
04. Characters
05. The Decameron
Summary
06. Themes
01. Brief Biography of Giovanni
Boccaccio
02. Key Facts about The
Decameron
03. Historical Context of The
Decameron
3. Giovanni Boccaccio
• Born into the Florentine merchant class in the early
years of the 14th century.
• Moved to Naples at 13 years old, where he apprenticed
at his father’s bank and started his literary career.
• In 1338, Boccaccio’s father left from Naples and
returned to Florence, after 2 years Boccaccio followed
him.
• After 1350, Boccaccio became involved in Florentine politics.
4. Giovanni Boccaccio
• He hosted the famous Italian poet and
humanist Francesco Petrarch
• His writings turned to antifeminist works.
• He died and was buried in Certaldo in 1375
June 16, 1313 - December 21, 1375
(age 62 years)
5. Key Facts about The Decameron
• Full Title: The Decameron
(Ten Days), or Prince
Galahalt
• When Written: Between
1349 and 1352
• Where Written: Florence
• When Published: 1352
• Literary Period: Medieval
• Genre: A collection of short
stories, including examples of
history, romance, pastoral,
fabliaux, and other medieval
genres.
• Setting: Florence and the
surrounding countryside, 1349
• Point of View: Third Person
6. Historical Context of
The Decameron
• The Decameron was written on the threshold of the Italian
Renaissance, during a time of great political, religious, social, and
intellectual upheaval in Italy.
• Italian political factions were divided between the Guelphs and the
Ghibellines.
• Florence itself thrived during the first half of the 13th century,
establishing itself as an international banking and trade center
7. Historical Context of
The Decameron
• The social mobility and emphasis on business affairs in The
Decameron reflects the economic and social shifts
• The Black Death’s appearance, in early 1348, devastated the city.
• Boccaccio joined his friend and teacher, Petrarch, as a key figure in
the development of humanism
9. Characters
Boccaccio
• B o c c a c c i o i s t h e v o i c e o f T h e
D e c a m e r o n ’ s n a r r a t o r .
• H E S I M P L Y R E C O R D S T H E
T A L E S A S T O L D B Y T H E
M E M B E R S O F T H E B R I G A T A .
10. Characters
01
The oldest of the brigata’s women, Pampinea’s name means “full of vigor,”
and she is a natural leader. The Sovereign of Day 1.
Pampinea (Prudence)
02
Fiammetta is a member of the brigata, whose name means “little flame”.
The Sovereign of Day 5.
Fiammetta (Temperance)
“Lieta Brigata”
11. Characters
03
A member of the brigata, whose name means either “the beloved” or “the
lover of song”. The Sovereign of Day 2.
Filomena (Fortitude)
04
Emilia is a member of the brigata, whose name means something like “the
attractive one”. The Sovereign of Day 9.
Emilia (Feminine Charm and Humility)
“Lieta Brigata”
12. Characters
05
Her name is a diminutive form of “Laura”. The Sovereign of Day 8.
Lauretta (Justice)
06
Her name means “newly enamored” and has been understood to connect her
to Dante and the Dolce Stil Novo love poetry tradition. The Sovereign of Day
3.
Neifile (Love)
“Lieta Brigata”
13. Characters
07
The last female member of the brigata, her name is an Italian variant of the
name “Dido”. The Sovereign of Day 6.
Elissa (Hope)
08
Panfilo is the one of the three men who join the brigata. His name literally
means “all loving”. The Sovereign of Day 10.
Panfilo (Reason)
“Lieta Brigata”
14. Characters
09
Filostrato is the second of the brigata’s men. His name means “defeated by
love”. The Sovereign of Day 4.
Filostrato (Anger)
10
Dioneo is the third of the brigata’s men. His name is an Italianized version of
the “Dionysus”. The Sovereign of Day 7.
Dioneo (Lust)
“Lieta Brigata”
15. In 1348, the Bubonic Plague ravages the city of Florence, turning
society upside down. During these dark days, seven young women—
Pampinea, Fiammetta, Filomena, Emilia, Lauretta, Neifile, and Elissa—
run into each other at the church of Santa Maria Novella. Pampinea
suggests they temporarily flee the city to escape the plague. They
recruit three men, Panfilo, Filostrato, and Dioneo, to join them.
SUMMARY
16. • Pampinea rules Day I. Although the day doesn’t have an explicit
theme, its tales all showcase human ingenuity and wisdom.
• The theme of the second day, under the rule of Filomena, is
Fortune.
• Neifile rules Day III, which explores the theme of perseverance.
• On Day IV, Filostrato commands the brigata to tell tales of unhappy
lovers, since he himself is one.
• Fiammetta balances out Filostrato with the theme of happy lovers
on Day V.
SUMMARY
17. • Day VI begins with an argument among the servants about how
frequently women go to their weddings as virgins. After Dioneo
settles the question, Elissa guides the company into their tales of
retort and riposte.
• The servants’ argument on the previous day inspires Dioneo’s
theme for Day VII, the tricks women play on their husbands.
• Lauretta continues the fun on Day VIII, with stories about tricks
played by men and women.
SUMMARY
18. • On Day IX, Emilia allows her companions to tell tales of their
choice. Although there isn’t a set theme, each of the day’s tales
recalls or builds on a previously told story.
• The tales of generosity on the final day, under the rule of Panfilo,
evolve as the company members compete amongst themselves to
come up with the most extreme example of generosity.
SUMMARY
19. • As the tales of Day X end, Panfilo suggests that the company
return to Florence before they attract any unwanted visitors or fall
victim to rumors of sexual impropriety, although they’ve lived a
moderate, balanced, and moral life in the countryside. The
members of the company return to the city and disperse to their
own homes.
SUMMARY
20. Themes
• Love and Sex
• Men and Women
• Moderation and Excess
• Intelligence
• Class and Character
• Faith vs. Religion
